Night Creatures Short Stories Read online

  “Oh, no. People falling in love. What a tragedy.”

  Mandenauer glanced at Clay. “Is she always like this?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Good. She’ll need spunk to survive life with you.”

  “Spunk?”

  Clay shrugged. “He knows a lot of words.”

  “I was alive when most of them were invented,” Mandenauer said dryly.

  “What’s my next assignment, sir?”

  “Disappear.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “The monsters know your name, face, and Social Security number. Until we find the traitor, you’re in danger.” His eyes met mine. “And everyone around you is too.”

  I tightened my fingers on Clay’s and moved closer to his side. “You’re not leaving me,” I said.

  “I can’t.” Clay motioned to the bed with his free hand. “They probably know about you too. Damn, Maya, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. I’d rather be in danger with you, than safe all by myself.”

  Clay searched my eyes. He must have found the truth there because he kissed me, sealing the bargain.

  Together we left the hotel, then Phoenix, behind. We disappeared. Jäger-Suchers are good at that.

  They still haven’t found the traitor and a few more agents have died. We may have to stay hidden indefinitely.

  At first Clay was antsy, then Mandenauer found him a new job. The far-reaching arm of the Jäger-Suchers needs a whole lot of fingers. The Internet has made Clay into a cyber-searcher. Tracking monsters online may not be as exciting as shooting them, but as he told me once before, someone has to do it.

  I didn’t have to apply at McDonald’s, which was lucky, since we live a long, long way from any golden arches. Though the voices of the spirits remained behind in the Canyon of the Dead, hearing them, even for a little while, jump-started my muse. I can’t write fast enough. Estelle says my next book should be a runaway hit.

  It’s the story of a spy during World War II. He discovers a secret lab in the depths of the Black Forest. You wouldn’t believe what he finds.

  And those dreams of pink ribbons and blue bicycles? They aren’t just dreams any longer.